King Cake Recipe

Introduction

King Cake is a festive and flavorful treat often enjoyed during celebrations. This soft, sweet bread filled with creamy cheese and decorated with vibrant colors brings a delightful touch to any gathering. It’s a fun recipe to try for Mardi Gras or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Food coloring (purple, green, gold)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit until it becomes bubbly, about 5–10 minutes.
2. Step 2: Gradually mix in the melted butter, eggs, and flour until a smooth dough forms.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface for about five minutes until elastic and smooth.
4. Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise for one hour or until it doubles in size.
5. Step 5: While the dough rises, mix the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth to prepare the filling.
6. Step 6: Roll out the risen dough into a large rectangle. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough tightly into a log, then form it into an oval shape on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Step 8: Let the shaped dough rise for another 30 minutes.
9. Step 9: Bake the cake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
10. Step 10: Allow the King Cake to cool completely before glazing or decorating with purple, green, and gold food coloring as desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add cinnamon or nutmeg to the cream cheese filling.
• Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
• Use gel food coloring for vibrant and long-lasting colors when decorating.
• You can add a small plastic baby or trinket inside the dough before rolling for a traditional King Cake surprise.

Storage

Store the King Cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days, but bring to room temperature before serving. The cake can be reheated gently in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–10 minutes to refresh softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make King Cake without cream cheese?

Yes, you can skip the cream cheese filling and simply bake the dough as a sweet bread, or fill it with cinnamon sugar for a different flavor.

How do I keep the cake moist?

Make sure not to overbake the cake and store it in an airtight container to retain moisture. Adding a glaze can also help keep it soft.

King Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 84 reviews

Traditional King Cake is a festive, sweet yeast bread famous for its vibrant colors and creamy filling. This recipe combines a soft, buttery dough with a luscious cream cheese filling, topped with colorful sugar decorations representing the Mardi Gras colors — purple, green, and gold. Perfect for celebrations, this recipe yields a moist, flavorful cake that’s both visually stunning and delicious.

• Author: Mick
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs

Filling

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Decoration

• Food coloring (purple, green, gold)

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes bubbly and foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Form Dough: Gradually add melted butter, eggs, and the all-purpose flour into the yeast mixture. Mix until you achieve a smooth dough.
3. Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it feels elastic and slightly tacky.
4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
5. Prepare Filling: While the dough is rising, blend the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
6. Shape Cake: Roll out the risen dough into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough, then roll it tightly into a log shape.
7. Form Oval: Shape the dough log into an oval and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Second Rise: Cover the shaped dough and let it rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
9. Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the king cake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
10. Cool and Glaze: Allow the cake to cool completely before adding any glaze or decorating with colored sugars in purple, green, and gold.

Notes

• Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
• Kneading properly develops gluten, giving the cake its characteristic texture.
• You can substitute the filling with cinnamon sugar or fruit preserves if desired.
• For authentic Mardi Gras tradition, hide a small plastic baby inside the cake before baking.
• The colored sugar can be made by mixing granulated sugar with a few drops of food coloring.

Keywords: King Cake, Mardi Gras Cake, Cream Cheese Filling, Festive Bread, Southern Dessert, Yeast Bread